CodyTalks at the...140 conference smalltown 2011

CodyTalks at the...140 conference NYC 2011

"How the Internet is like a Small Town"...Twitter is coffee shop of the world... the whole world can now know about the good or bad thing you did just like it's always happened at the small town coffee shop.

"For the Love of the Game"

I have wanted to do this series on here called "For the Love of the Game", all about the truest sense of honor and competitive spirit in any type of competition. I think it has died somewhat, it's not gone, just maybe less of it cause we don't keep score. I kinda eluded to it here with the KU Basketball team this year. I have started a couple of blog posts and not finished them, and I have gotten distracted by all the liberal, hippie, bleeding heart friends I seem to have ;). Anyhow, my Mom sent me this video and it epitomizes the thoughts I had about this series and spoke to why I wanted to do it.

So, watch the video knowing this, the girl who does the "Awesome thing" at the end of the video, she's a superstar... Home Run leader, academic all Conference, ultra competitive athlete... and she truly understands what it means to play "For the Love of The Game", not just to win, but, she does in fact bust her ass to win. It's the balance of I am gonna work harder than you, kick your ass on the playing field but still treat you with the respect that every human being deserves and maybe respect you a little more if you bust your ass to kick mine.

I don't quite have all this in words figured out yet but this is my best summary. I love to win, I really do, as much as anybody in the world, but I love the game just a little bit more. The competition, the one on one battle.... Ok I guess I can't explain it, watch this video and I will keep thinking on it.

Jesus, Somebody that understands what I am trying to say,come in here and comment and make it better.

I think every parent of a child interested in competition should sit down and watch that with their kid. And then talk about it with them. Hint.... The talking is the most important part.

12 comments:

Wow. Now that I have dried my eyes I want to say thank you for posting that story. That sums up the best of my experience as an athlete.

I also have great respect for the sports that require you to hold yourself to a higher standard. There is a great bit in the movie, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" about the honesty and integrity inherent in the rules of golf.

I think we respond to the values of good sportsmanship because they appeal to the best traits of human character - hard work, justice, integrity, honesty, and so on. If our competitors are not of equal sportsmanship it lessens the competition and the value of the victory.

Damn allergies. Must be some dust in the air. For the love of the game. For the spirit of competition. Every time I walk onto the field as a coach or player, I want to win. But I think this video truly displays what winning is all about.

I really don't know what to say about that. First of all, I can't believe that poor girl was lying on the ground with a torn ACL long enough for the other team to conceive of circumventing the rules to carry her around the bases. I would have been screaming for an ambulance and some Demerol, stat. Maybe that's why I didn't play college sports.

Jokes aside, it is a great example of rising beyond competition, which, while important, to me always comes behind cooperation. Competition is a great motivator, but cooperation is fundamental to evolving. These girls are a great example of when being a great athlete is secondary to being a great human being.

this is crazy. it is really for the love of the game and how bad you want it. but it takes heart. so much sportsmanship to. that was a really sad video to watch. i love so much to win. but every time i step on the field i will think of that story.

When you think of all the high parid athletes we watch on television. Some with egos to match thier bank accounts you wonder where their passion went. Yet, when you watch this video. You remember why you played when you were a kid. Becasue you loved the game, plain and simple. I admire those two girls who realized above all us winning isn't everything. Sports used to be about teaching young men and women about character, pride, and hardwork. Not how to go to college to be one and done or leave college early for the NFL. I think that is why sometimes I enjoy the women's games more, they are pure. Just for the love of the game...

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I have been part of several programs with Cody, and have found that he presents high quality content in a personal, down-to-earth way that is extremely effective. Highly recommend him!Ron Wilson - Director
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development